Here’s an interesting question that came in over our blog today:
Q: I’d like to make a vest out of the SOL Thermal Bivvy- should the seams be sewn or will an iron work to weld seams?
A: My advice is to sew the seams, rather than trying to weld them. If using an iron to weld seams, I would be worried about excessive heat weakening the fabric or causing the two layers of the fabric to separate.
***
Does anyone else have any good stories about using our products (or anyone else’s products, for that matter) to make their own clothing or gear? If you ask me, some of the best ideas in the outdoor gear have their roots in DIY-specialists or the cottage industry, so we’re always interested to hear how people like to use our products. I’ve received emails from people that have used Heatsheets blankets as solar heat reflectors inside their cars or as insulation inside coolers, so I know there are enthusiastic innovators out there taking our products beyond what we imagined when we made them. If you have a story, please share it with us in our comments section.
Congratulations to AMK East Coast Sales Manager Kyle Peter, who recently competed in his first 100 mile race — the Western States 100. Known for its grueling terrain, the Western States 100 takes place in late June, in California, starting at the base of the Squaw Valley ski resort and finishing up at the Placer High School track in Auburn.
Kyle recuperating post race
Over the course of the race runners climb 18,000 feet and descend a total of 23,000 feet on mountain trails before they cross the finish line. Runners finishing before the 30 hour time limit for the race receive a bronze belt buckle; those who finish in under 24 hours receive a silver belt buckle. Kyle, an accomplished adventure racer and member of Team Tecnu, snagged a bronze buckle, finishing in 169th place at a time of 26:35. Read below his account of the challenges he experienced during his first stab at an ultra marathon:
This was by far the highest quality event I have ever competed in, and that includes Ironman and Primal Quest. After the race, I definitely developed a new outlook on the pace of adventure racers – Adventure Racers, we are slow!
Below is a race recap from Kyle and Team Tecnu on the Swamp Stomp Adventure Race that took place over the weekend. They completed the race and came in 3rd out of 28 teams (that is their third 3rd place finish in a row!).Up next…. the Endorphin Fix 2-day race in West Virginia in March. Congratulation to Team Tecnu on another great race!
Team Tecnu
Swamp Stomp 2010
Team Tecnu Staphaseptic
Kyle Peter, Mari Chandler, Keith Bushaw, Leslie Reuter
The 2nd race of 2010 took team Tecnu to about one hour north of Tampa, FL to race in the Swamp Stomp. Plotting the course Friday night near the banks of the Homosassa River proved that the race would live up to its name. 30 miles of river-paddling in a maze of waterways cutting though the swamp and miles of swamp travel ton foot and even bike (yes…I said bike) though thick wet swamp ooze!
Saturday morning we started with a 14 mile paddle on the Homosassa River Trail that we finished in around 4th place, but we transitioned quickly at the ‘Chaz’ Campground and headed out onto Bike #1 in first place. Biking mostly on paved roads we grabbed a few CP’s and cruised into the transition to Trek 1 holding our lead.
Paddling through the Fog
Trek 1 was a relatively straightforward rogaine in Withlacoochee State Forest. After 5 hours of running we cleared the section. Most points were 100-300 meters from a trail or road, but with no features in flat Florida, the team relied heavily on pace counts to get the CPs.
We took off on Bike # 2 still leading the pack, but with a local team hot on our heels. We grabbed 3 CP’s or so on our way into the deep nasty swamp at the same the time the sun began to set. The first point we went to in the swamp requited us to leave our bikes at the end of a trail and stomp through the swamp for 100 meters to find the flag. It was cold, it was our first time moving in the swamp, and Leslie found a keeper spot that sucked her in deep. Needless to say, we slowed a bit. We started to bike back out the same trail we used to come in to the CP and saw the local FL team. I estimated we had about 15 minutes on them. We also saw Checkpoint Zero and some other teams on the out-and-back section. Next up on our plan was a group of 4 CP’s that didn’t have a clear connecting route to get them all. We tried to get them in a loop that appeared to be the most efficient according to the map. But it turned out that trails in the swamp can easily be covered in 3 feet of water and near impossible to find. We decided to bike an extra 15 kilometers on relatively fast trails to avoid a 750 meter swamp bushwack with our bikes over our shoulders. Seemed like the safest smartest thing to do, but turns out the race directors designed the course so everybody had to carry there bikes through the swamp. The marked trails on the map were really hunters’ bushwacking routes through the swamp than ride-able trails. Long and short of it we were passed out there by the local team as well as Checkpoint Zero with all three of us getting all points on Bike 2. We came into the start the Trek 2 30 minutes behind CP0 and 2 hours behind the local team. Game over! The intensity immediately dropped and my focus on the maps faded. We pushed on adjusted our plan for the trek, got what points we could with Leslie navigating us through a 1 kilometer, pitch black, below freezing, thick swamp.
We returned to the TA to pick up our bikes to find out Checkpoint Zero still in the TA but with 1 more CP than us (a point worth 2 points when most were worth only 1 point). We also discovered that our bikes cassettes had frozen solid. Hours of swamp biking, sandy road riding, and 28 degree temperatures are not the best conditions for bikes. We put on our frozen solid bike shoes, and all of the clothes we had (none of it dry at this point) and set off on the final bike ride (Bike 3). I have probably been heard saying a half dozen times or so, “This is the coldest I have ever been.” I don’t think I said it this time because I was too cold to talk, but I truly believe this was the coldest I have been in my live. All four of us had completely numb feet and hands. At every CP, Keith would put his bare hands down his pants to warm his fingers, and Leslie would ride without her hands on the bars in order to put them up here shirt to keep them warm.
We pulled into the final TA and transitioned into our frozen solid paddling gear. When I took my bike shoes off there was a layer of ice between my wet sock and my shoe. I don’t think that has ever happened to me before. Not to mention in FL?
We stated Paddle 2 early Sunday morning and preceded to get the mandatory CP’s They were all located up channels that were feed by springs. We usually had to wade the last few meters in 72 degree water from our boats up to the spring to reach the CP. What a welcome change from the frozen socks and PFD we wearing! Our final CP required one teammate to swim into a deep hole being fed by a spring. As the youngest on the team I won the chance to dive the 10 feet into the clear spring and get the CP!! I was cold, but the finish line was only 200 meters away, and as a special treat we were greeted by a family of manetees swimming under our canoes as we left the spring.
Diving for the Checkpoint gold!
CP Gold!
Manatee
The Swamp Stomp proved to be a very challenging race both physically and mentally. Florida doesn’t have hills, but it sure has swamps! All things considered we are happy with our third place finish, and impressed with Checkpoint Zero’s second place finish and the local teams win. I won’t speak for the rest of the team, but I will be back. I want another shot at those swamp ‘trails’ or lack-there-of.
To help support the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, Adventure Medical Kits has donated thousands of medical supplies through the non-profit disaster relief organization AmeriCares.
Items AMK sent include topical burn treatments, alcohol-free hand sanitizer, sterile gauze dressings and other materials used for cleaning and dressing wounds.
Following the aftermath of a major natural disaster, materials for treating and disinfecting wounds are typically in high demand for relief workers who are tending to the injured. With its logistical expertise in executing major relief programs, AmeriCares is ideally suited to deliver essential medical supplies to the people of Haiti.
Formed in 1982, AmeriCares is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and maintains offices in India, Sri Lanka and El Salvador. Over its 28-year history, it has participated in multiple disaster relief efforts around the globe.
“It’s our sincere hope that our efforts with AmeriCares, along with the donations we continue to make through other aid organizations, will in some measure help the Haitian people to weather the very tough days that they face ahead,” said AMK’s marketing director and co-founder Frank Meyer.
AMK sent medical supplies to AmeriCares in packs provided byThe North Face.
Adventure Medical Kits is a proud sponsor of the 2010 Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series.
Be Part of the Cure with AMK!
In addition to sponsoring the event and providing product samples and prizes, AMK is donating $1 for every Women’s Outdoor Medical Kit sold during the duration of the series. For every Women’s Outdoor Medical Kit sold between January 23rd and March 30th, 2010, Adventure Medical Kits will donate $1 to the Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer that benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Visit our website to learn more.
Since its inception in 2003, the Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series® has engaged more than 16,000 people in the sport of snowshoeing and raised nearly ONE MILLION DOLLARS for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®!
Modeled after the highly successful Race for the Cure®, the Tubbs Romp to Stomp out Breast Cancer consists of a 3k or 5k snowshoe walk or a 3k snowshoe race. The event has grown every year and now is the largest snowshoe series in the world and includes the biggest single snowshoe event in North America (Frisco, Colorado).
The gorgeous snowshoe course, fun atmosphere, and FREE demo snowshoes* from Tubbs helps to attract participants of all levels. Nearly 25% of participants have never snowshoed before! *First come first serve.
With ongoing partnerships with the local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the Tubbs Romp to Stomp is committed to helping stomp out breast cancer one snowshoe step at a time!
Live in the Bay Area? Be sure to swing by Adventure Medical Kits’ HQ’s this Friday to take advantage of our Factory Sale. Purchase medical kits, miscellaneous medical and survival supplies below wholesale cost.
Where: 5555 San Leandro St., Oakland (1 mile from Coliseum & Fruitvale BART). Limited parking available. All sales final, cash only. Bring your own bag. Happy Shopping! When: Friday Dec. 11th, 12 pm – 4 pm.
Congratulations to Kyle and Mari for their 3rd place finish in the Perak Amanjaya International Eco Adventure.
Details of their final day of racing are below…
To read all about their journey and race – check out their blog.
Day 4 – Final Stage
Kyle and I knew what had to be done for the final day of racing. We were currently in 4th place and less than 3 minutes behind a spot on the podium which was held by Team Salomon TLDM from Malaysia. The day began with a long 48 mile bike leg which the majority would all be on paved roads and flat. The first 12 miles were pretty easy as everyone rode in a peloton as expected. The next 4 miles were insane as we had to loop around some rice paddy fields. We were forced into a single file line through wet tall grass with mud underneath. It was a struggle to remain with the lead group through the slippery conditions, but we hung on. At the edge of the paddy field was a bridge that led us back to the road, but we had to heave our bikes up onto it as it was 4 ft or so off the ground. Kyle and I were back on our bikes and on the road only to find ourselves a good 200 meters behind the peloton. We knew we had gotten off the bridge before the Malaysians and needed to get back with the lead riders. Kyle took off and I got on his wheel and we road as hard as we could and eventually caught the group. We settled back into the peloton and enjoyed the pull and recovered from our sprint. The pace had slowed again and the French team(Chiru Racing Bikes) and the Japanese team each tried to break away, but each time we caught back up with them. With all the goofing around with the pace, our Malaysian friends were able to rejoin the group as well. No one would take the lead and push the pace except us and the 2 teams from South Africa (Team McCain Adventure). I took the lead and Kyle got behind me and we picked up the pace. The next thing we knew, we were all alone and the peloton had dropped behind us. We expected them to catch us, but that was the last we would see of them for the next 24 miles. Kyle and I alternated leading, giving 1 min hard pulls while the other recovered all the while thinking at any moment the freight train of riders would run us over soon, but they never came. We held 24-28 mph on our mt. bikes as we were led by a police escort and camera crews all the way to the TA. It was pretty exciting to have gotten a break-a-way from such a strong group of riders and be in the lead.
We had a quick transition into our kayak gear and were off for a short paddle in the Indian Ocean to Pangkor Island. At this point we still had no idea exactly how far ahead we were and just wanted to keep our lead as long as possible. We expected to be caught on the kayak leg, as we are not the stongest paddlers, but no one came. We reached the sandy beach and now had to run up a hill to a 60 m repel down a steep rock face right back down to the beach. Because we had done the entire bike section while wearing our climbing harnesses, there was no need for the transition and gained more valuable time on the Malaysian team who we knew was not wearing theirs.
Now we were off for a 6k run along the edge of the island through the town of Pangkor. We were still feeling pretty good and settled into a comfortable pace but tried to keep pushing. Kyle had fallen back a bit so he we connected the tow line so that we could keep together. It seemed as though the entire town of Pangkor had come out and lined both sides of the street to cheer us on. They seemed confused to find Kyle and I by ourselves , most likely looking extremely tired , and why were we tied together?? We pushed on and reached the aid station at the base of “Killing Hill”. In the race briefing the night before, the Race Director had told us that this hill was harder than the one we had done on Day 2 and had almost destroyed a few teams. We decided to take the time to load up on water before continuing up the trail. As we headed up the steep trail we still saw no one behind us. It wasn’t too much time later when we heard the Swedish team coming up behind us and moving fast. Within a few moments they had caught us, passed us, and dropped us. We kept on trekking and a few moments later, Pacific Adventure made up of 2 Americans caught us, passed us, and dropped us. We decided that was enough, and in order for us to grab 3rd overall, we had to hold onto 3rd for the stage win. We never saw another team. We reached the base of “Killing Hill”, which ended up being way easier than expected and had a short run back out to the main island road. Here we would get to choose from a group of “local” bikes and would be allowed to use one bike for the 2 of us to go the remaining 5k to the finish. Kyle immediately grabbed a bike that had the essentials…2 inflated tires, 2 pedals, at least 1 brake, and hopefully the ability to shift a gear or 2. I took off running and Kyle passed me on the bike. It was hilarious as the bikes were all for people a bit shorter than us and he looked like he was pedaling a kid’s bike. For the next 5 k, we leap frogged each other with one of us riding a short distance ahead and dropping the bike on the side of the road and then the other of us running to it, picking up the bike and continuing. There was a lot of traffic on the road and I was sure at some point our bike would either get run over or fall apart. With the bike being so small it was very difficult to ride up the few hills we had along the way to the finish and I was having flashbacks of riding my little niece and nephew’s little cruiser bikes and thinking that maybe that form of training was paying off at last. ha ha. I was just starting to feel pretty crappy and had told Kyle as he rode by me not to make me run to far when we could start to hear the sounds of the finish line. Kyle dropped the bike immediately after he passed me and was off and running hard to the finish. I barely caught him when we rounded the final turn and crossed the finish line together to finish the 4th and final stage in 3rd place. Immediately we started our watches and waited to see who would cross the finish line next. After 3 minutes we knew we had the last spot on the podium secured. As time ticked by and only the Japanese team finished, we thought we had a shot at 2nd place as Chiru Racing bikes had 6+ minute lead heading into this stage. At 4 1/2 minutes, Team Chiru crossed the finish line. It was official…
1st place: Team World of Multi-Sport from Sweden, 4 day race total of 15:30:07 (co-ed team)
2nd place: Team Chiru Racing Bikes from Australia & France, 15:50:36 (all male team)
3rd place: Kyle and Mari, Team Tecnu Extreme/Asolo, 15:51:55
To read all about their journey and race – check out their blog.
AMK Sales Representative, Kyle Peter is racing again – this time in Malaysia!
Kyle is racing with Mari Chandler on Team Tecnu Extreme/Asolo in the Perak Amanjaya International Eco Adventure 2009 which is a new event geared towards presenting 20 of the top teams to the Asian contingency, and also showcasing on ESPN STARS. The 4-day race is set to begin on December 2nd – they will be racing across Malaysia in a super fast stage race with little navigation, short disciplines, blazing fast transitions, and beautiful terrain.
Kyle and Mari arrived in Malaysia and have spent some time relaxing and recovering from jet lag. Tomorrow is a pre-race brief/meeting, followed by interviews with ESPN STARS network where one billion Asian households are sure to fall in love with Kyle and Mari. After that, there is nothing but waiting and doing countless gear checks and last minute preparations before the race starts on Wednesday.
You can follow their progress on theirteam blog. Good luck to Kyle and Mari – we can’t wait to follow their progress and hear the stories of this epic trip!
A satisified Sarah Tantillo at finish line of the NYC Marathon. Hey, is that a Heatsheets blanket?
AMK employees, Sarah Tantillo and Kyle Peter, enjoyed their NYC marathon experience. Sarah breezed thru in 4 hours and 9 minutes, about 7 minutes faster than her goal time of 4:15. Sarah is hoping to break 4 hours next. Kyle blistered the first half in 1 hour and 30 minutes and jogged home the rest of the way to finish in 3:44. Kyle said if he saw any outdoor stores on route he was going to stop in and check them out. Next year we are going to challenge him to do it in under 3:30 while writing 3 orders on route.. That would be a productive marathon!
Looking calm and rested two days before the NY City Marathon
Kyle Peter looking to breeze thru the NYC Marathon in 3 Hours and 20 minutes
Adventure Medical Kits Sales Coordinator, Sarah Tantillo, and Sales Representative, Kyle Peter, are off to race in tomorrow’s NY City Marathon. This will be Sarah’s first attempt at the 26.2 mile distance. Sarah is looking forward to her girlfriends cheering her on as she strides to hit the 4 hour mark. Kyle, a Boston Marathon finisher this year in just seconds over 3 hours, will be looking to take it a little easier and wants to finish in 3 hours and 20 minutes. Four days after Kyle returns he will be launching into a four day adventure race with three other teammates. To compound the effort, they both took red eye flights on Friday night for the Sunday race. They will be back at work Monday morning. Check back on Monday for the after marathon pictures.
That would be a productive marathon!
